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May 13, 2004
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May 13, 2004 |
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EDITORIAL Compromise on code of conduct When it meets tonight (May 13), the Yellow Springs school board should agree to create an extracurricular code of conduct for students. The board’s approach should involve teachers, administrators, parents and students, who would craft a policy that stresses positive behavior instead of punitive consequences and gives the schools, coaches, advisors and other adults who work with students flexibility to handle students’ problems. The board’s efforts should not solely focus on punishing students who get in trouble outside of school, but should provide students with guidance for how they should behave throughout life. Such a policy ideally would reflect the type of lessons the Yellow Springs schools should be teaching students every day. The question of whether the Yellow Springs school district should have an extracurricular code of conduct for students has been a lively one in recent weeks, since a group of parents brought the issue to the school board. Noting that the Yellow Springs school district is the only school system in the area that does not have a code of conduct for extracurricular activities, those parents have lobbied the school board to create a formal policy advising coaches and adult organizers how to react if students misbehave outside school. In a letter published by this paper on April 29, four parents said that the code “isn’t about punishment; it is about instilling discipline and personal responsibility.” Those who oppose the creation of the code — who include many varsity coaches at Yellow Springs High School — have given a variety of responses why it is unnecessary. The coaches have said that they already impose consequences on athletes who get in trouble. Others have said that coaches and adult mentors need the flexibility to deal with each situation on an individual basis. Some say that the code goes beyond the schools’ responsibilities, and keeping some students from participating in extracurriculars would be counterproductive. Both sides present compelling arguments. With leadership and guidance from the school board, a compromise can be reached that is fair, flexible and stresses the appropriate behavior Yellow Springs expects of its young people. Indeed, the code should be based on positive values and behaviors students are expected to uphold. In addition, the code could be incorporated into existing district policies that address student behavior in school and during school-related activities. While most students are well behaved and respectful, occasionally some young people act up. Regardless of where misbehavior occurs, it may affect the school community, and, therefore, the school district —students, administrators, parents and adult volunteers — should address the behavior of student, whether that behavior is positive or negative. If done correctly, this new code of conduct could address for students the importance of personal responsibility and provide a measured approach to help the schools, adults and the community talk about youth issues.
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